Astaxanthin (Astaxanthin, astazanthin, E161j)is a yellow dye.
Carotenoid, chemical formula C40H52O4.
Astaxanthin is found in yeast, salmon, salmon, trout, shrimp, crayfish, and in the feathers of some birds.
Astaxanthin, unlike other carotenoids, is not converted to vitamin A (retinol) in the human body. Excess vitamin A is toxic, but there is no astaxanthin. It is also a powerful antioxidant, 10 times more active than other carotenoids.
In industry, both natural (over$ 7,000 per kilogram) and synthetic astaxanthin (about$ 2,000 per kilogram) are used.